Ford has joined hands with Amazon to integrate its Amazon’s cloud-based voice service called Alexa. Ford and Amazon are building an Alexa Integration which is to be embedded in Ford’s SYNC 3 infotainment system to provide consumers the ability to access their car from home, and call up other features from their vehicle via Alexa.
With Alexa integrated in your car, you can listen to auidobooks inside the vehicle, search and transfer local destinations to navigation, request news, play music, add items to Amazon shopping lists and much more. It also provides the ability to command internet-enabled functions such as lighting, garage doors, security systems and other smart home devices. You can even start/ stop the engine or lock/ unlock car doors and stay updated to the fuel level or battery range status.
“Millions of consumers who befriended Amazon Alexa over the last year, including many who just received an Echo or Echo Dot as a holiday gift, will soon be able to experience Alexa like never before from a Ford vehicle. A new collaboration between Ford Motor Company and Amazon is making this capability possible,” said Ford Motors.
Ford will roll out Alexa Integration in two phases. The first phase will be available later this month which connects you to your car from the home via Alexa devices such as Amazon Echo, Echo Dot and Amazon Tap. While the second phase is expected this summer which will offer you to tap into a vast set of Alexa skills using your voice while driving. This will help drivers to keep their eyes on the road and hands on the wheel.
“We’re excited to work with Ford to enhance the driver experience both inside and outside of the vehicle,” said Steve Rabuchin, vice president, Amazon Alexa. “We believe voice is the future, and this is particularly true in cars. The ability to use your voice to control your smart home, access entertainment, manage to-do lists and more makes for an extraordinary driving experience. We can’t wait for Ford customers to try this out.”
“This industry-first in-car capability through Ford SYNC 3 AppLink™ simply requires drivers tap the voice recognition button on the steering wheel, then say “Alexa,” followed by a question or command. Ford is currently beta-testing this experience with employees.”
Great news for Ford Focus Electric, Fusion Energi, and C-MAX Energi owners as they will be the first to experience home-to-car capability using MyFord® Mobile technology.
